This study is being conducted to determine whether an endoscope, (a small, flexible tube with a camera mounted on the end) passed down through the throat, through the stomach, and into the abdomen can safely and accurately examine the organs and tissue of the abdomen and take biopsies if needed. We wish to determine if this endoscopic diagnostic route is as efficient as the laparoscopic diagnostic route, which is currently the standard of care.

Patients with pancreatic cancer who will proceed to a Whipple procedure.

Procedure: Transgastric endoscopic peritoneoscopy.

Exploration of the abdominal area

Detailed Description:

We propose to investigate the efficacy of transgastric endoscopic peritoneoscopy with endoscopic biopsy in patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy and who will require a concurrent gastrotomy for placement of a PEG, gastrojejunostomy or gastric resection.

We hypothesize that diagnostic endoscopic peritoneoscopy can be done safely with adequate visualization of the abdominal cavity to direct clinical treatment.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Pancreatic Cancer undergoing staging laparoscopy

Staging or diagnostic laparoscopy in anyone needing enteral access

Exclusion Criteria:

Lack of consent

Intra-abdominal adhesions precluding diagnostic laparoscopy

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00427752